The Sync Crash Course

Learn everything about music synchronization licensing, sync deals, and how to collect sync royalties.

What is Music Synchronization Licensing?

A music synchronization license (“sync license” for short) is a music license issued by the copyright owner(s) of a composition which grants a licensee permission to use a musical work in audiovisual formats, such as movies, TV shows, and video games. Register for our Sync Crash Course to learn the fundamentals of sync licensing with expert-curated educational content including blog articles, webinars, and downloadable resources sent to your email:

  • An introduction to music synchronization licensing.
  • An overview of sync licensing deals, sync fees, and your rights.
  • The different types of sync placements and royalties they generate.
  • How to collect residual publishing royalties earned from sync placements.
  • How sync licensing companies, sync agents, and music libraries help artists find sync opportunities.
ICONS Video type of sync placements

Movies

ICONS_Games type of sync placement in Songtrust's sync crash course

Games

ICONS_Podcasts type of sync placement in Songtrust's sync crash course

Podcasts

How Can You Earn More Royalties With Music Sync Licenses?

To maximize your royalties, don't limit your music to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and TikTok. Sync licensing offers new revenue streams from TV shows, movies, games, commercials, and podcasts. Join our Sync Crash Course for expert tips on preparing for sync opportunities, negotiating deals, connecting with music supervisors, and collecting all the publishing royalties your songs earn.

How Can Sync Placements Help You Build a Global Fanbase?

Getting your songs placed in movies, TV shows, commercials, video games, and soundtracks can open doors to new fans in global markets. For instance, the band Imagine Dragons gained significant international recognition when their song "Radioactive" was featured in the trailer for the video game "Assassin's Creed III." This exposure helped them reach new audiences worldwide, leading to increased album sales, merchandise sales, and concert tour destinations. A big break in new countries could bring new career-changing exposure with new target markets for album sales, merchandise sales, and concert tour destinations.

How Does Sync Licensing Work With Songtrust?

With Songtrust, you can manage sync placements yourself or let us handle the negotiations and administration, collecting all related publishing royalties. We provide non-exclusive sync rights, so you retain the freedom to pursue sync opportunities that best align with your music, your values and your career goals. We charge a 20% administration fee on any deals and royalties we secure from sync.

Amon Tobin testimonial about sync placements in Songtrust's sync crash course

“Getting music placed in films and commercials frees me to make music that isn’t commercial by nature. That’s incredibly important because it makes an uncompromised art form sustainable where it might otherwise not be.”

Amon Tobin - Songtrust Client

Brazilian Electronic Musician, Composer and Producer

Sign Up For The Sync Crash Course